Cebu chess whiz makes impression

CEBU, Philippines — He’s the youngest but made an impression as one of the smartest.

Cebuano chess prodigy Jerish John Velarde, a Candidate Master, added feather in his cap after topping the junior high school category of the 2nd Torrevillas Knights’ Cup Open Rapid Chess Championship last Wednesday in Catbalogan City, Samar.

The Grade 7 student of Marie Ernestine School in Lapu-Lapu City completed the 9-round Swiss system competition with 6.0 points.

That vaulted Velarde to 25th place in an elite field of 179 players in the open division that include some of the country’s top chess masters led by Grandmaster Joey Antonio.

That is already a feat in itself considering that Velarde, who just turned 13 years old, is the youngest participant in the open category.

Velarde’s most latest triumph that earned him P5,000 in cash, a certificate of recognition and a gold medal, adds color to his splendid campaign this year. Recently, he produced gold medal for the Philippines in the Under 14 bracket of the 2019 ASEAN Age-Group Chess Championships in Myanmar.

Aside from Velarde, several other Cebuano pawnpushers came up with a good showing in the one-day tilt dominated by GM Antonio with 8.0 points.

National Masters Edsel Montoya and Merben Roque together with Rommel Ganzon and Jimmy Ty Jr. are the best placed Cebu-based entries with 7.0 points each to occupy the seventh to 10th spots.

Allan Salientes finished 12th also with 7.0 points while Anthony Makinano landed at No.15 wityh 6.5 points. — EBV